Summer heat can exacerbate chronic health conditions, warn experts

Summer poses several health risks, including dehydration, heat exhaustion, heatstroke, and potential worsening of existing medical conditions, including skin health. These risks can lead to serious complications, if not taking seriously.

“Warmer summer temperatures mean more sweat, and exposure to irritants like dirt, sand and saltwater can exacerbate skin conditions like acne, causing breakouts. When it comes to acne, there is no one-size- fits-all solution,” said Brig. (retd) Ajmal Rashid, consultant dermatologist & cosmetologist and ex-HoD at the PNS Shifa Hospital Karachi, and CMH Sialkot, during a public health awareness seminar at a hotel in Karachi.

He said, “The easiest way to determine the right treatment for you will be by working out what type of acne you have and what’s likely to be causing it. First find out what type of spots you’re getting. This is the most important step, as treating a closed comedone is completely different to treating a cyst.”

Brig. (retd) Ajmal Rashid provided a few simple tips and precautions so everyone can enjoy the sun safely. He noted that the skin cell regeneration process is speedier during summer as the dead skin cells combine with the excess sebum and sweat, resulting in increased acne-breakouts during summer months. To maintain soft and smooth skin, exfoliation is the key step. From time to time, you should exfoliate your skin to free up clogged pores or prevent acne breakouts. An alpha-hydroxy acid can do wonders and helps you retain your shine in hot summers. Another crucial thing to remember is not to over-exfoliate. Twice a week of exfoliation is sufficient during the summer months.

The seminar was told that a short course of oral antibiotics may be needed to treat severe acne, so it’s better to see a doctor. Antibiotics will reduce bacteria and fight inflammation. However, for deep cysts, Isotretinoin, a powerful medication may be needed but strictly under a doctor’s supervision and guidance. Keep your hands away from your face, touching, picking, and popping can worsen acne.

Extreme heat means tan, pigmentation, sunburns and more can worsen your skin if precautions are not taken at the right time. Exposure to the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun can be a significant risk factor for premature ageing. All year-round, the sun’s rays are the strongest from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and it is necessary that you apply sunscreen before heading out in the morning.

According to Brig. Ajmal, a broad spectrum of SPF 30 sunscreen or higher should be applied to exposed skin before stepping out. You need to apply sunscreen 30 minutes before going outside and re-apply it once every 2 hours. Spending considerable amounts of time inside air-conditioned offices, homes, etc. makes your skin dry, you need to take regular breaks from air-conditioners. When the dry air takes out the moisture from the skin, your wrinkles and aging lines can become more pronounced therefore, it’s essential to keep up with the moisturizing routine.

The best way to healthy glowing skin is to make sure that you consume all the necessary nutrients that enhance the beauty of your skin from within. You must include Vitamin C as part of your diet to protect your skin from environmental damage.

“You should also regularly check your skin for any abnormal growth or discoloration. In case of any skin issues, you should immediately contact your dermatologist to treat the issue as soon as possible,” Brig (retd) Ajmal Rashid suggested.

“Heart patients must take precautionary measures to ensure their hearts are able to cope with the added strain by hot summer. The same situation is with older people, whose bodies don’t respond as readily to stress as they once did. The extra work for the heart, compounded by the loss of sodium and potassium and the internal flood of stress hormones, can push some people into trouble,” said guest speaker Prof. Mudassir Iqbal Dar, consultant cardiac surgeon and HoD at the Gambat Institute of Medical Sciences.

“When external temperatures rise, human body works hard to maintain a normal temperature of around 37 degrees Celsius. This is done in two ways; through radiating the heat away from the body, and evaporating sweat molecules, both of these natural methods of cooling down require the heart to pump faster and harder to eliminate the heat, and are made more difficult with high humidity levels. In advanced cases, they may get cardiac arrhythmia due to the heart exhaustion, hyperdynamic circulation and electrolytes disturbance,” explained by Prof. Dar.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 29% of deaths in Pakistan are caused by cardiovascular diseases, making the disease a prominent issue in Pakistan. He believes that our lifestyle plays a key role in the high number of heart diseases cases in Pakistan, He also stressed the importance of staying hydrated at all times by increasing water intake, and avoiding smoking and caffeinated drinks and salty foods.

“Excessive sweating during hot weather can lead to dehydration, causing symptoms like dry mouth, thirst, fatigue, and dizziness, muscle spasms, often in the legs or abdomen, caused by electrolyte loss through sweating, untreated heat exhaustion can progress to heatstroke, a life-threatening condition where the body’s temperature rises dangerously high,” said Dr Laiba Shakeel, demonstrator at Liaquat National Hospital, Department of Medicine. Heat can exacerbate chronic conditions like heart and lung disease, diabetes, and kidney disease, it can also increase the risk of stroke and heart attack, she said.

Certain medications can increase the risk of heat stress during hot weather by affecting the body’s ability to regulate temperature, sweat, and maintain blood flow. Common culprits include diuretics, Beta-blockers, anticholinergics, beta-blockers, antipsychotics, and certain antidepressants.

ACE Inhibitors and ARBs while not directly affecting thermoregulation, these medications can sometimes cause dehydration, which can worsen heat stress risk, especially when combined with diuretics, Dr Laiba explained.

Some diabetes medications like SGLT2 inhibitors can increase urine production, potentially leading to dehydration. Thyroid medications levothyroxine, used to treat hypothyroidism, can increase body temperature.

Individuals taking these medications should take extra precautions during hot weather, such as staying hydrated, avoiding strenuous activity, and seeking shaded areas, advised Dr Laiba.